Candidates opposition to income tax is disingenuous by not supporting amendment

Concord – In a televised debate last night between Second Congressional District candidates, Charlie Bass and Annie Kuster, the issue of whether or not each supported an income tax in New Hampshire was discussed. As part of that debate, Congressman Charlie Bass expressed his support for constitutional ballot question one, which would ban an income tax in New Hampshire's Constitution, while Annie Kuster avoided answering the question. However, in a press avail after the debate, Kuster revealed that she opposes the constitutional question.

Responding to these developments was the Chairman of the No Income Tax PAC, and former gubernatorial candidate, Kevin Smith:

"It is disingenuous for candidates like Annie Kuster and Maggie Hassan to tell the voters they oppose an income tax, but then say they also oppose the amendment that would ban it forever in New Hampshire." Smith continued, "By saying you oppose the amendment because you don't want to "tie the hands" of future legislatures, is just another way of saying you want to leave the option of an income tax on the table in the future. This notion is especially troubling coming from folks like Kuster and Hassan, each of whom have supported the idea of having an income tax in the past."

Constitutional amendment ballot question number one will read as follows on the ballot this November:

Constitutional Amendment Proposed by the 2012 General Court

1. “Are you in favor of amending the second part of the constitution by inserting after article 5-b a new article to read as follows: [Art.] 5-c. [Income Tax Prohibited.] (Passed by the N.H. House 256 Yes 110 No; Passed by State Senate 19 Yes 4 No) CACR 13 Yes No